The Obama stimulus package, at least the version the House passed, includes $50 million for the National Endowment for the arts. According to Bill Ivey, the former chair of the NEA who was on Obama’s transition team, the NEA can move money into people’s hands quickly. Republicans are less convinced of art’s ability to jump-start the economy. As yet, no Jesse Helms has raised a pitchfork against controversial content.
Arts, off the breadline
